[Leonard Covington received 7^th April ans 8^th] [Mars 26] [15.] [upper March 31^st] [M^r Simmons accountant in the War department Philadelphia] [via — Bladensburgh] 1797 Sir I am under the necessity of trou- bling you for a Certificate relative to the Moneys you deducted from my pay on settlement of Acc^t in September last, for publick Horses. I shall esteem it a sin- gular Favour if you will transmit me, as soon as convenient, a Certificate seting forth, that you deducted two Hundred Dollars from the pay due to me from the publick, by direction of the Secretary of War for two publick Horses then in my possession and if you could procure a Certificate from Colonel Pickering to the same purport it would add greatly to the obligation. Yours respectfully Lea Covington late Captain the U. S. Cavalry — P. S. My address will be Patuxent Ri- ver Maryland, via Bladensburgh [signature]